35-2025: Halfpenny Pier Mooring and Leisure Facilities, Harwich
28 March 2025
The refurbishment works outlined in local notice to mariners No. 17 of 2025 Maintenance Works at Ha’penny Pier will be completed on 28 March 2025 and the main pier will be re-opened to the public.
The seasonal leisure facilities will re-open from Monday 31 March to Friday 31 October 2025. Ha’penny Pier will be manned by Harwich Haven Authority’s Duty Pier Master between the hours of 0830 and 1730 during the open season, including weekends and bank holidays. The Duty Pier Master can be contacted on +44 7748 154039 for enquiries or assistance.
Visiting from outside the UK?
Overseas visitors should follow the advice issued by the UK Government before travelling.
In addition to notifying Border Force of your intentions to enter the UK you must also make a custom declaration to the HMRC National Yachtline +44 (0) 300 123 2012 before disembarking your vessel.
Leisure vessels
Visiting leisure vessels up to 20 metres length overall (LOA) can use the facilities at Ha’penny pier pontoons for a maximum stay of 72 hours. Except for large vessels (see below), berths cannot be booked in advance as we operate on a first come first served basis. Be advised that vessels may be double or triple berthed if the mooring facility is busy and prevailing conditions are suitable.
As shown on the diagram below, the outside berths are prioritised for larger vessels and the inside berths are predominately for smaller crafts. Leisure vessels must not moor in the Harbour Ferry or unloading areas, which are clearly marked on the map.
Charges will apply (card payment only) – see below
Mooring is free between the hours of 0900 and 1600 for vessels up to and including 15 metres. Between the hours of 0900 and 1600, vessels over 15 metres will be permitted to moor free of charge for a period of 2 hours only, following which a fee of £10.00 will be charged.
Outside the hours of 0900 to 1600 fees will be charged for each 24-hour period:
| Up to 5 metres LOA | 15.75 |
| Over 5 metres and up to 10 metres LOA | 21.00 |
| Over 10 metres and up to 15 metres LOA | 26.25 |
| Over 15 metres and up to 20 metres LOA | 31.50 |
How to pay?
Leisure vessels can pay mooring fees directly to the Pier Master whose office is located next to the café on Ha’penny Pier. Fees will be collected after 1600 and before 0900 the following morning. Card payments only.
Larger vessels
Vessels over 20 metres LOA requiring a berth must be registered with the Authority and have pre-booked a berth 24 hours before mooring. You will be provided instructions on how to do this as part of the registration process and invoiced for each visit. To start the registration process, please email your vessel and contact details to [email protected].
Fees for large vessels are as follows:
| Embarking/disembarking passengers | 31.50 |
| Overnight mooring | 52.50 |
Operators who are registered charities are entitled to a 50% discount.
Fishing vessels
Fishing vessels are restricted to using the unloading area of the pontoon, which is clearly marked.
CCTV
The area around the Ha’penny Pier pontoons is monitored by CCTV 24 hours a day.
Access out of hours
For security, the gate at the top of the pontoon gangway must be kept closed except for access. The gate allows visitors to exit the pontoon area but requires a code to open on return. Visiting vessels will be provided with the gate code by the Duty Pier Master on arrival or by calling +44 (0)7748 154039. Please note this phone is only manned until 21:00.
Access to facilities
The toilet and shower facilities located on Ha’penny Pier require a code to access, which will be provided to you by the Pier Master on arrival.
A water tap is located on the inside of the sea defence wall at the entrance of Ha’penny Pier, which is the property of Tendring District Council – +44(0)1255 686868.
Access during bad weather
The mooring facility is affected by both wind and tides and sometimes it might not be possible to use the facility. During challenging conditions, the bridges between pontoons will be raised to protect them from damage. In such situations skippers should consider the pontoons closed.
Skippers should always ensure that their vessels are securely moored with fenders in place. Our Pier Master is always happy to advise about wind, tide and mooring conditions.
Warnings
Harwich Haven Authority accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any vessel, its contents or injury to any person using the facility.
Vessels entering the pontoons are advised to navigate with caution – due to floating moorings – and keep to the port side when entering the pontoons.
Alcohol has been identified as a contributory factor in some access accidents. Therefore, we advise users to take care when using the facility. Under the Harwich Haven Authority Byelaws 1994 (as amended) “a person shall not navigate or take control of a vessel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of taking proper control of the vessel.”
Prior to departure and when navigating in the Authority’s waters, all vessels are advised to maintain a listening watch for maritime safety broadcasts and traffic information by Harwich VTS on VHF Channel 71.
During the off season – between 1 November 2025 and 29 March 2026
- The Pier Master’s office is closed, and the facility will be unmanned
- Vessels are permitted to use the berths in accordance with the areas marked on the map (see PDF version below)
- Mooring is free on the Ha’penny Pier pontoons
- Mooring preference is given to fishing vessels
- Vessels are permitted to stay in the pontoon area for 24 hours in any 7-day period (requests for longer stays may be granted at the discretion of Harwich Haven Authority)
- The Ha’penny Pier shower and toilet facilities are closed
For more information see the latest Leisure Guide, available at Ha’penny Pier and on the HHA website https://hha.co.uk/downloads/.